My name is Belen Sarwacinski, FNPc.  I am a native of Costa Rica, Central America.  I graduated from San Diego State University in 1983.  I was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1983.  I served 4 ½ years of active duty as a staff nurse at Naval Medical Center of San Diego. 

 I  joined the USNR from November 1987 to January 2012.  Retired with the rank of CAPT. Awards earned:  Meritorious Service Medal (1) Navy Commendation Metal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal. 

I earned a Masters of Science in Nursing in 1999 from the University of Phoenix, and a Post Masters degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of California School of Medicine in 2000.

 I have a broad knowledge in nursing:  Neonatal intensive care unit, admission nursery, pediatrics, oncology, internal medicine, urology, neurology, and case manager.  I have been a family nurse practitioner for 23 years.